The world has always been a volatile place, and now is no different. Collected here are books to help you become and stay informed on the conflicts going on in the world today.

Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, by Jeremy Scahill – Discusses the covert wars currently being waged by the US military. Here’s an interview with the author about the book and the documentary with the same name.

Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection, by Michael G. Wessels – There are nearly 300,000 so-called “child soldiers” around the world today. Read about their lives, from how they got there to what life is like after.

Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion across the Islamic World, by Robin Wright – A veteran reporter chronicles the struggle between moderates and extremists taking place within the Islamic world, citing clerics who challenge al Qaeda violence, women who are launching liberation movements, and former jihadists who openly reject violence.

Obama’s Wars, by Bob Woodward – Focusing primarily on Afghanistan, Woodward guides us through the decision making process and behind the scenes conversations of the Obama administration.

If you’re interested in more, let us know. We have a lot on this topic, and this is just a small slice. I’ll leave you with this quote from FDR:

“The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the goverment.”